2025 Award Winners

   Dr. Anthony DeLuise is the recipient of the 2025 Emo DiNitto/RI Chapter of the National Football Foundation Distinguished American Award. A Johnston High School graduate, he was an all-division football player and a 1993 Golden Dozen selection. He earned his B.A. in Biology, magna cum laude, from Boston University and his M.D. from Boston University School of Medicine. After completing his orthopedic surgery residency at Boston Medical Center and a Hand & Upper Extremity Fellowship at The Philadelphia Hand Center/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, he returned to Rhode Island, where he serves as a surgeon at Orthopedics RI and as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Brown’s Alpert Medical School. Dr. DeLuise has been honored with Providence Business Weekly’s "40 Under 40," Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man of the Year, Walk to Cure Arthritis Medical Honoree, and a Castle Connolly recognition for 2025.

Dr. DeLuise has also coached youth sports since 2013, including Scituate Tri-Town Football, FBU, Scituate Foster Little League, and River Dogs AAU Baseball. Over the past three seasons, he has served as an assistant football coach at Ponaganset High School, leading the JV team in 2022 and serving as offensive coordinator during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, helping guide Ponaganset to the Division 3 Super Bowl. He and his wife Monica reside in Scituate, RI, with their children Ava and Adrian.

Joe Gilmartin’s legacy in Rhode Island football is defined by passion,

dedication, and unwavering commitment to student-athletes and the game itself.

A standout player at North Kingstown High School from 1979 to 1981, Joe earned

All-Division honors as both a linebacker and kicker before graduating in 1982. His

love for football would carry him far beyond the field as a player.

Joe began his coaching career at North Kingstown in 1983-84 under Joe

Mancini and continued under Keith Kenyon through 1992. He also served as head coach at Bishop Feehan High

School for two seasons before returning to NK in 1995 as an assistant, helping lead the program to two Super

Bowl appearances. Joe took a break from coaching to spend time with his children before returning as Head

Coach at North Kingstown in 2012.

He transformed the Skippers’ football program, guiding the team to the 2017 Division II Super Bowl

Championship. Under his leadership, the program was elevated to Division I, where they went on to win back-

to-back Super Bowl titles in 2018 and 2019. Over his remarkable coaching career, Joe compiled a regular season record of 77-22 and an impressive 10-2 record in playoff games. His excellence on the sidelines earned

him Coach of the Year honors three times, including the prestigious Providence Gridiron Club Coach of the

Year Award where he also is a Hall of Fame honoree.

Beyond the gridiron, Joe was a beloved and respected history teacher and a devoted multi-sport coach,

mentoring student-athletes in football, baseball, hockey, and basketball. His positive impact stretched across

generations of students and athletes, and his integrity, mentorship, and love for the game left an indelible mark

on the North Kingstown community.

Joe passed away on October 14, 2024.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Mary Barden, and his

three children: Joseph, Theresa, and Benjamin. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the program

he helped build.

A proud graduate of Pilgrim High School’s Class of 1980, Jack Field’s passion for football began early, playing four years for the Patriots. After graduation, he entered the workforce and, through years of dedication and training, rose to become an Operating Room Supervisor at several hospitals across Rhode Island.

In 1988, Jack began his journey to becoming a Rhode Island high school football official. By 1991, he had achieved his goal, launching a distinguished 33-year officiating career marked by professionalism and a deep love for the game. Throughout the years, he has officiated countless playoff and Super Bowl games, leaving a lasting mark on the Rhode Island football community.In addition to football, Jack has been a high school lacrosse official since 1998.

Now enjoying retirement when not on the field, Jack continues to serve as a respected mentor and presence in Rhode Island high school sports. His decades of service and impact make him a most deserving recipient of the 2025 Officials Award.

Jack has been married to his wife, Kris, a school nurse at Narragansett High School, since 1992. Together, they raised two daughters: Kaileen, a special needs teacher in Massachusetts, and Kerrin who is a nurse.

 By the time Mike finished his four-year varsity career last fall he had become the North Providence football all-time leader in rushing yardage, yards from scrimmage and all-purpose yards. A Coach’s Association All-Stater, he was the Cougars Offensive MVP from his running back slot and played a big role on the defensive unit as a defensive back. “He was one of the key reasons for our success over the past four years that brought North Providence football from obscurity to prominence” head coach Mike Tuorto said of Allard.  A basketball and baseball standout in addition to being a football All-Stater, he also was an academic star compiling a 3.49 GPA during his high school career. 

 An offensive guard and defensive tackle, Dylan earned Coach’s Association and Providence Journal All-State honors this season. “Dylan is a phenomenal leader with an outstanding work ethic. He was the first person to show-up and the last to leave every day,” Woonsocket coach Charlie Bibeault offered about Calore. A National Honor Society member, he compiled a 93 combined academic average during his four years at Woonsocket.

A first-team Providence Journal All-State selection Ethan was the mainstay of an offensive line that keyed the Hawks’ drive to another state title. A 6-2,280-pound center, he also was the Hawks long snapper and the starting nose guard on the defensive line. Ethan was an All-State and All- New England track selection, as well. He was a high honors student who academically ranks in the top third of this year’s Hendricken graduating class.

Barrington coach Sandy Gorham is a Hall of Fame coach so when Gorham says DiGiacomo “is one of the most versatile and talented players, I have ever coached” it puts William in an elite class of Rhode Island football players. A 6-1, 200-pound tight end and linebacker he is a two-time All-League selection.  A high honors student in each of his four years at Barrington, he is an AP Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society  

A Providence Journal All-State selection for his performance as the Broncos quarterback, this season he passed for 1,822 yards with 124 completions on 202 passes. Included in those 124 completions were 16 touchdown tosses. During his three years as the Broncos starting quarterback, he passed for 5,120 yards, including 65 touchdown tosses. While he was registered those amazing football stats, he also was posting an impressive 3.2 academic GPA.

A first-team Providence Journal All State selection as an offensive lineman, Griffin was a four-year Islander starter. “Griffin is a great football player, but an even better citizen”, Middletown coach Matt Kestler offered about Kleinknecht. In addition to being a football star and a National Honor Society member, Griffin was a three-year mentor for the Unified Basketball program as well as a youth lacrosse coach and joined with members of the Newport police department to distribute holiday turkeys.

Simi was one of the top 10 academically ranked students in the 168-member Rogers High Class of 2025. On the football field, Simi was one of the cornerstones of the Rogers program for two years from his spots on the offensive and defensive lines. A two-time All-division selection, he registered 28 tackles and five sacks this past season, playing a big role in Rogers’ drive to the semifinal round of the Division III playoffs. He is a recipient of a 2025 R.I. Interscholastic League Leader and Service Award.

John was an All-State linebacker, but his impressive performance on the football field was overshadowed by his performance in the classroom. Throughout his high school career he earned an A, A-plus or A-minus in every course, academically ranking him third in the 246-member Lincoln High graduating class. A three-sport standout, he was the recipient of the Brown Book Award, an AP Scholar of Distinction and a member of the National Honor Society. He also is a recipient of a 2025 RIIL Distinguished Achievement Award

 One of the top linebackers and long-snappers in the state, Colin is a two-time Providence Journal All-State selection. In the classroom during his high school career, he never received a mark lower than a 90, giving him a cumulative, four-year of 92.7 average. That academic performance ranked him in the top 10 percent of 360-member East Providence 2025 graduating class. He also is a recipient of a 2025 RIIL Distinguished Achievement Award.  He is also an active member of the East Providence community serving as both a youth football and youth baseball coach. 

 Hunter’s performance as a wide receiver played a major role in Pilgrim’s drive to the Division III semifinals this season. His performance in the classroom over-shadowed his impressive football stats. In his four years of honors and AP courses, a total of 28 courses, he received an A in every course. An AP Scholar and member of both the National and Spanish National Honor societies, academically Hunter ranks 3rd in this year’s 282-member Pilgrim graduating class. 

 One of the top kickers in Division IV, Brendan also was one of the top academic students in this year’s senior class at Tiverton High. Academically ranked 5th in the 136-member class Tiverton High graduating class. He was an AP Scholar; recipient of the RI Commissioner’s Award and recipient of the U. of Rochester Award as well as a member of the National Honor Society. A three-sport athlete (football, basketball and golf) he earned All-Division football honors as both a kicker and defensive back. He will attend Boston College. 

A two-time Providence Journal All-State selection, Evan was the 2024 Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year. A 6-1, 215-pound quarterback he passed for 1,117 yards this season, rushed for 1,126 yards and accounted for 22 touchdowns. During his high school career, Evan accounted for 5,000 combined yards and 54 touchdowns. A three-sport standout, Evan was a multi-year volunteer of high school students reading to elementary school students. He also was a long-time volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club. Academically he posted a 3.8 GPA during his high school career ranking him in the top 20 percent of this year’s Cumberland High 400-member graduating class.

 A two-time all division selection, Owen was one of the top kickers in Division III. He converted 42 of his 45 conversion attempts and registered touchbacks on 25 kickoffs. A three-sport standout he also was captain of the Ponaganset boys’ soccer team and an indoor and outdoor boys’ track All-Stater, nationally ranked in the hammer and weight throw.  He also is a recipient of a 2025 RIIL Distinguished Achievement award. A two-time football All-Academic team selection, he will enroll at Bucknell University in the fall of 2025.  

President of his class council in every year of his high school career, Seth also is one of the top students in the Smithfield class of 2025. He is a two-year varsity football starter as a versatile lineman and a track star. During his high school career, he compiled a near-perfect 98.72 grade-point average. A member of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society, he is recipient of the U. of Rochester Book award and the Smithfield Richard Lynch Memorial award. He started 21 football games the past two seasons and his play on the offensive line was a key factor in a Smithfield offense that gained 1,250 yards rushing

A two-year football starter at offensive guard and linebacker, Dylan is one of the top academically ranked students at Cranston West. His 4.75 four-year GPA academically ranks him 12th in this year’s 394-member Cranston West graduating class. A three-sport standout, (football, basketball and lacrosse), he is this year’s Cranston West Student Council president. A member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Society, he also is a class council delegate and a student ambassador.

 A three-year starter as the Panthers quarterback, Matt is a two-time first-team All-Division selection. During his career, he completed 262 of 505 passes for 3,660 yards, a school record. He was the Providence Gridiron Club Division III Offensive Player of the Year in 2024. A member of the National Honor Society, he is a two-time Coaches Association All-Academic team selection. A student council member, he was co-president of the school media club and a member of SADD. He will attend the University of Rhode Island.     

 A member of the National Honor Society for his performance in the classroom, on the football field Colin moved into a starting berth on the offensive and defensive lines in the 2024 season.  His constant performances on both sides of the ball played a major role in North Kingstown’s drive to the Division I playoffs and a victory in the DI (non-state championship) Super Bowl. During his high school career, he recorded a combined 4.2 GPA in a program loaded with Advanced Placement courses. He already has scored a 5 and 4 on the advanced placement exam which earns him college credits while he is still in high school. 

 A two-time, first team Providence Journal All-State football selection as a running back and defensive end, Jordan also is one of the top boys basketball players in the state. In football, he rushed for 1,945 yards in 2024; picked up 1,087 yards in pass receptions; scored 31 touchdowns and made 29 solo tackles. He was the MaxPreps Player of the Year in 2024 and also the Coaches Association Division III Player of the Year. On the basketball court, he is a two-time Providence Journal First Team All-State selection. His play during his junior season in 2023-24 led Classical to a state championship undefeated 24-0 season. A Student Government class officer, he also is an indoor and outdoor track star. 

 A member of the National Honor Society and a two-year football starter as a split end, corner back and punter who averaged 35-yard per punt last season. A three-sport standout, football, hockey and lacrosse, Declan’s punting was a big key helping the Rebels defensive unit start in good field position. A Football Coaches Association all-academic selection, he posted a combined four-year GPA of 4.03. He will attend the University of Rhode Island.   

 A three-year starting offensive lineman for the Patriots, Edward played a big role in Davies’ drive to the Division IV Super Bowl in his junior season.  With Edward as a mainstay of the offensive line over the past three seasons, the Davies offense has amassed a combined total of 7,000 rushing yards. An all-division Division IV selection in 2024, he also is a four-time all-academic team selection. 

 Brayden a has been a high honors student in every year of his high school career as well as a team captain in two different sports. A three-year starter in football, he was the Titans leading receiver in all three seasons. During the 2024 season he pulled-down 29 receptions, including four TD receptions.  When he wasn’t on the football field or basketball court, he was spending time tutoring students in the Providence Times Sq. urban development program. 

 A 6-2, 215-pound offensive and defensive lineman, Winslow was the Avengers top lineman in the 2024 season. On the defensive line, he was involved in 88 tackles and a QB sack. In the classroom, he posted a four-year combined 4.50 grade point average. He held the football team’s top GPA in each of the past two seasons. A varsity baseball player in addition to being a football player, he also was a member of the class council; a member of the student newspaper and four-year member of the Model United Nations. 

 A National Honor Society member and a football All-Division selection, Logan made 49 tackles in nine games this past season from his defensive-back position. He was captain of the Saints defensive unit this season. “He always knew the game-plan by Tuesday and was constantly lining-up his teammates”, said St. Rays coach Mike Sassi. A member of the Saints track team Logan also was a member of the campus ministry and the school choir.   

 A two-year Mt. Hope captain and two-time All-Division selection, Ethan accounted for 1,056 total yards this season as the Huskies quarterback, including 9 touchdowns. A four-year Football Coaches Association All-Academic selection. “Ethan was the cornerstone of the turn-around of the team this season,” said Mt. Hope coach Shane Parker. In the classroom, Ethan posted a combined 3.99 Grade Point Average over his four-year high school career.   

 Captain of this year's LaSalle football team, Matt is a two-year starter as a wide receiver and inside linebacker. This past season he earned All-Division honors as he registered 90 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a pass interception. A member of the National Honor Society he also is a class officer. He also is an active member of his hometown community of Cumberland volunteering at the Northern R.I. Boys & Girls Club for 20 hours a week for three years. He was a finalist for the Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year award. 

  An AP Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society, Trent joined the Portsmouth football team last fall after spending the first three years of his high school career in California. “Trent became an immediate team leader on and off the field,” said Portsmouth coach Keith MacDonald. A defensive end and linebacker on the defensive unit, he led the Patriots in sacks and was second on the team in interceptions and fumble recoveries. In the classroom, he posted a 4.5 GPA at both Portsmouth and Tesoro High in California.

After an injury sidelined him for much of his junior year, Jaxson returned for his senior season in 2024 and led the Chieftains in solo tackles. “He’s a tough, undersized linebacker who is like a second coach on the field”,  Chariho coach Bill Samiagio offered about Trudell. Academically, he ranks in the top 20 percent of the 218-member Chariho graduating class. He is a member of the National Honor Society and recipient of the Outstanding Business award.

 A 6-2, 180-pound wide receiver and defensive safety Karl earned All-State selection in both his junior and senior seasons. During his four- year career, he pulled in 1,500 yards in pass receptions, highlighted by 562 yards in his senior season this past fall. A three-sport standout and a four-year honor roll student, he registered a combined 3.02 GPA during his high school career.